Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
If you lose your car key, it’s important to know the different costs involved. You can get a copy of a basic car key from any hardware shop, but a smart key might require you to go to a locksmith or dealer.
There are ways to save money on your device if it is damaged but does not need reprogramming.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in strange places. If they disappear from your purse during shopping, get wedged between the sofa cushions, or fall through the crack in your back seat They’re always a difficult to locate. In the past, this meant that you could go to your local auto locksmith or hardware store and purchase a new car key replacement replacement key for car cost.
Today it can be quite costly in the case of a vehicle that is equipped with modern technology, such as key fob technology or push-to-start. These systems make use of remote transmitters and key fobs that are tiny electronic devices. They’re also stuffed with circuitry, making them expensive to replace in the event of an eventual loss.
Consider the possibility of a key fob insurance policy that covers up to $400 dollars per key that is stolen or lost. These plans typically cost less than the total cost Replacement car key of replacement and offer unlimited key replacements in the event of theft or loss as well as additional benefits like towing insurance and roadside assistance, among other things.
The type of key you’re using will also impact the cost, with some types being more expensive to replace than other. Simple metal keys that do not have a key fob, for example are fairly inexpensive, since they’re mechanical, and can be replaced by locksmiths or mechanics who are professionals. If your key has transponders, you’ll require an equipment that is specifically designed to duplicate it. These machines are only available from car manufacturers or dealerships and could be a major element in the price.
Laser cut keys are yet another factor that can increase the cost of a replacement car key, since they are usually heavier than regular keys. They are fashioned from metal that is then molded to an exact shape, and then cut using lasers that are precise to ensure a precise fit.
2. Key Fob
Losing keys to your car keys lost replacement used be a minor issue. You could buy keys replacements from a locksmith or car dealership, and it was likely affordable to purchase it. As cars have become more advanced in technology, so have their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more costly.
Key fobs became popular in the ’90s as an extra feature to allow car owners to lock and unlock their vehicle without the need for a physical key. The tiny plastic fobs include an electronic button that, when pressed, communicates to the computer onboard of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some have a button to activate the vehicle’s alarm system or open the trunk.
A locksmith car key replacement cost for cars can cut a traditional key without a remote for a small charge. This is exactly the same as keys made before 1990. Some locksmiths can even repair lost fobs while you are waiting.
It can be more costly to replace a fob that has a computer chip or transponder than if it were an ordinary one. Reprogramming and pairing them can cost upwards of $200 and are only available through the original car dealer.
Many businesses that work with vehicles, such as auto repair shops, car dealerships and salvage yards could end up with quite a few spare fobs that aren’t tied to a specific vehicle. Some of them are accessible to the general public, while others require special equipment or technical expertise to program. This is not something that a typical consumer can do. This is why it’s always recommended to keep an extra car key in your purse or pocket, and also add GEICO’s Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it even more convenient should you need to use it.
3. Laser Cut Keys
Contrary to traditional mechanical keys laser-cut keys feature deeper ridges and grooves. These make them more difficult for thieves in cars to duplicate.
The blades of the key have two slits which allow keys to be inserted into the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. These are the most popular car keys available today. They are more popular than key fobs due to their greater security and convenience.
It is essential that the shop cutting keys has the right equipment. You’ll end with keys that don’t function properly when you don’t. You should also consider the quality of the knife because a knife that isn’t of the highest quality could harm your key cutting device or cause it to break within the ignition cylinder.
To cut a key using lasers, the locksmith will need to have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have this information, they will run it through a computer system to get the specifications of your specific car. Then, they’ll make use of the CNC to cut the key to these specifications.
They require specialized equipment to create, and they are generally only available through dealerships. They are less expensive than traditional key fobs, but they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
Labor costs for a typical laser-cut all in-one key can range from $150-$250. The keys must be programmed by the dealer. They remain among the most convenient and secure keys for cars available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Many modern cars utilize key fobs to lock and unlock the doors, and turn on the engine. Unlike older mechanical keys, which are mechanical and easy to duplicate by key cutters or locksmiths, these newer car keys come with transponder chips that must be connected with the vehicle by a dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are typically more expensive, and range from $50 to $100 for the basic model, and up to $200 for models with push-to-start functions.
Fobs that contain what’s known as a switchblade key that folds in itself when not in use. typically, they cost more to replace. These keys come with shanks that retract into the fob and are released when required. They are usually much more secure than standard keys, making them a great deterrent to thieves and are a good alternative for those in need of an extra car key to allow valet usage. The cost of changing these keys can range from $100 to $300 depending on the car and the type.
In contrast to the crank key of the past that was heavy, complicated, and dangerous to handle keys made of electronic technology are lightweight and more convenient. These car keys also make it difficult for thieves to steal them since they are cylinder-shaped. This stops the use of key-duplicate machines used by criminals to copy your car key.
The keys are entirely electronic and communicate electronically to open doors and begin the engine. Some keys are able to do so without being removed from the driver’s pocket. These types of keys are expensive to replace and require an appointment with a dealer, which may include a towing cost.
5. Transponder Keys
Transponder keys differ from mechanical keys because they are equipped with the chip that sends an audio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is put into the ignition. The signal is then analyzed by the vehicle’s computer system to determine whether it matches the serial number of the key. If it is, the vehicle will allow keys to unlock the doors and to start the engine. This is to stop car thefts by making it harder to hot-wire a car and also to start the engine.
Theoretically, this technology is effective, but smart car thieves constantly find ways to defeat it. The chips in these keys are also not as durable as people like to believe. They can be destroyed quickly, which could lead to the key not working at all.
The cost of replacing transponder keys could be expensive. The key blank itself could cost up to $50, and then there’s the additional expense of programming it. This procedure requires a specific machine that is only available at dealerships for cars.
It is recommended to employ a professional locksmith with the right equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have your vehicle’s information prepared, such as the year, make, and model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used, and will save you money in the long run. Locksmiths typically can program a new transponder key for about $150, but it may cost upwards of $180 for cars that are equipped with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a special programming process that is performed only by a locksmith who is certified.